A child who snores loudly every night might seem like a funny sight. But if that snoring accompanies repeated narrowing or blockage of the airway, the effects can reach far beyond a noisy night.
Obstructive sleep apnoea is often associated with adults who snore and struggle to stay awake during the day. Children can develop it too. Its prevalence is difficult to pin down: a 2024 systematic review of 30 studies found that recent estimates in preschool children ranged from 12.8% to 20.4%, but definitions and testing methods varied considerably. Only two population studies used a full overnight sleep study, so the true figure remains uncertain.
